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Before Sit for the CFA Exam eBook
Get advice from CFA Charterholders for a successful exam day.CFA How To Prep
February 25, 2025
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It’s understandable if you don’t know exactly when you are ready to take the CFA® exam. There are several signs that indicate you are well-prepared for the exam and scoring 75% or more on mock exams is at the top of the list. In order to score that high you’ll need to accomplish a lot so let’s jump right into each task.
Sticking to your 6-month study plan is crucial to your success. You need a timeline that allows you to complete all the readings, practice all the questions and take multiple mock exams. Even if you had to adjust your study schedule to accommodate some unforeseen issues, revising your plan and sticking to it till the end will give you the best chance of success on the exam.
There are lots of readings to do when preparing for a CFA exam and they are all important. Finishing your readings ensures you get exposed to all of the CFA curricula and helps you become familiar with the concepts needed to pass. It will also help boost your confidence in your knowledge of the curriculum when talking with others and practicing.
Practicing CFA questions and using lots of flashcards is an important part of practicing for the exam and building confidence. Flashcards especially help with learning the theories behind each reading and answering lots of practice questions helps learn how to apply those theories to solve problems.
You should take multiple CFA mock exams because it can take time to get used to the exam experience and learn how to manage your time efficiently. They also help you identify areas for improvement and build test-taking skills. If you get anxious during exams, getting scores above 75% can help you reduce anxiety and feel ready to take the CFA exam.
Yes, through Kaplan Schweser you can visit a Prometric exam center near you and take a practice test just like you will on exam day. Your in-person mock exam appointment can be scheduled for any day; there are no predetermined dates for “Mock Exam Windows”.
95% of surveyed Level I and Level II candidates who scored 70%+ on Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® Level I or Level II Mock Exams passed the actual CFA exam.#
Review workshops are an essential part of preparing for a CFA exam. You’ll have the opportunity to do a comprehensive review of the material covered on the exam. You’ll also be able to talk exam strategy with an instructor and CFA practice questions that closely mimic the types of questions on the exam.
You want to walk into the testing center feeling rested and ready for the day. You’ll be in there for over five hours so you’ll need your energy.
Make a list of all the materials you are required to bring to your CFA Exam day, plus more materials and supplies that can help you on test day.
It’s understandable if you need to defer your exam and this is a common question asked by candidates. In order to request a deferral for a scheduled exam, you’ll need to follow the CFA Institute’s deferral policies and procedures. Basically, you’ll need to log in to your account, fill out their deferral request form and provide a detailed explanation of your circumstances.
Failing a CFA exam can be discouraging but remember that it is very rare to pass an exam after only one attempt. If you failed, review your exam results carefully to understand where you fell short and evaluate your study plan to figure out if it was effective for you.
If you pass the CFA exam give yourself the credit you deserve and reflect on what worked well. If you still have more levels to pass, you can use your study plan as a template for preparing for the next level. If you have passed the level III exam, it’s time to start the process of officially becoming a CFA charterholder so you can start putting the CFA designation after your name.
Answer these five questions to test your readiness for the Level II Exam
Assess Your Baseline Knowledge of the CFA Program Curriculum with a Free CFA Diagnostic Exam.
Before Sit for the CFA Exam eBook
Get advice from CFA Charterholders for a successful exam day.
CFA Program Fundamentals eBook
Unlock in-depth overviews of CFA Program curriculum topics.
#95% of Level I and Level II Candidates Who Scored 70%+ on Schweser's Mock Exam Passed the Actual CFA Exam: Kaplan examined the relationship between its CFA® Level I and Level II simulated exam scores and candidates’ self-reported official CFA Level I and Level II exam scores. For this survey, a sample of 761 CFA Level I and Level II candidates was surveyed between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, regarding their CFA Level I or Level II certification exam outcomes. Candidates took Kaplan’s simulated exam between January 2021 and November 2022, and took the official CFA Level I or Level II exam after their simulated exam. Within these 761 students, 295 had scored 70% or higher correct in Kaplan’s simulated exam. Of the 295 CFA Level I and Level II candidates that had scored 70%or higher correct in their simulated exam, 281 (95.3%) reported they passed the official exam and 14 (4.7%) reported they failed. Kaplan makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, concerning the predictability of passing an official licensure examination.
